Traditional Song and Dance

The children in classes 5, 6 and 7 were introduced to the delights of Traditional Song and Dance.
Matts Mellin was the instructor for the dance. Here the first class is setting out to learn some basic steps in traditional dance.

	The second class of the day was Song. Christine Kydd brought along her guitar and introduced the singing. The children had a lot of fun using the tunes of traditional Scottish Songs to compose their own songs about Arbroath.
Class 5 and 6 made up their song to the tune of Ally Bally The Sea of Arbroath Seagulls flying over the sea Go away and don’t peck me I’ll have Smokies for my tea Come along and join me. Fishermen and Fishmongers In the Arbroath Harbour Children scaring seagulls away By the Bell Rock Lighthouse Catching cod for my tea Even on a rainy day Fishermen sailing on the sea Arbroath Cliffs are far away Fishermen and Fishmongers In the Arbroath Harbour Children scaring seagulls away By the Bell Rock Lighthouse Fishermen in the storm They would like some comfort and warmth Hoping nothing will go wrong They will make it to the morn. Fishermen and Fishmongers In the Arbroath Harbour Children scaring seagulls away By the Bell Rock Lighthouse
Class 6 and 7 had to try and make their song to the tune of Auld Lang Syne Welcome to Arbroath Welcome friends into our town Come see what Arbroath’s like It’s always nice and sunny here Oh come and see the sights. Aberbrothock was its name In the days of auld lang syne But now it has a different name Arbroath is yours and mine. Welcome friends into our town Come see what Arbroath’s like It’s always nice and sunny here Oh come and see the sights. The Arbroath Abbey is so old It lies in ruins now The Declaration was signed here And started up a row. Welcome friends into our town Come see what Arbroath’s like It’s always nice and sunny here Oh come and see the sights. The fishing port is full of boats And full of fishing nets And some of them have little floats The men they mend their nets. Welcome friends into our town Come see what Arbroath’s like It’s always nice and sunny here Oh come and see the sights. There’s lots of chip shops on the shore And you have to wait in line The Golden Haddock is the best Their fish and chips are fine. Some of us like Marco’s too And Pepo’s good as well When you’re feeling hungry You love the fishy smell. Welcome friends into our town Come see what Arbroath’s like It’s always nice and sunny here Oh come and see the sights. There’s lots of seagulls in Arbroath Nesting on the cliffs They fly around there waiting for A tasty meal of fish. Welcome friends into our town Come see what Arbroath’s like It’s always nice and sunny here Oh come and see the sights.
In the afternoon both classes came together to sing their songs and show off their dance steps to one another.